INF/TE/SSD/W/7  
 
16 February 2021  
(21-1298) Page: 1 
  Original: English  
 
 
TRADE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY  
STRUCTURED DISCUSSIONS (TESSD)  
COMMUNICATION BY THE EUROPEAN UNION  
The following communication, dated 8 February 2021, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of  the European Union . 
 
_______________  
 
 
1. The European Union ( EU) topics of interest are very much aligned with the priorities 
highlighted by other co -sponsors of the TESSD during the mee ting on 26 January 2021. In terms of 
priority areas, the EU would like to suggest discussions on:  
• The liberalisation of trade in green/ climate -friendly goods.  
• The liberalisation of trade in green/ climate -friendly services.  
• Looking into how we can gather developing countries around the topic of environment and 
tackle issues such as greening aid for trade.  
• We are also interested in looking into the transparency of domestic measures such as fossil 
fuel subsidies, carbon border mechanisms; and how we can improve the role of the CTE in its 
transparency function.  
2. We are also interested in the underlying thematic topics that underpin the green agenda in 
the WTO  – such as climate and circular economy. We are flexible on how the topics are brought 
forward.  
3. In terms of process , for the structured discussion to be meaningful, it is essential to have good 
preparation and, therefore, an early distribution of topics to be discussed in each of the meetings. 
It will allow to gather the relevant stakeholders and to prep are written contributions/papers by 
Members and stakeholders to facilitate the discussions. We are flexible in how the topics would be 
grouped,  but it would be important that they are conducive for giving operational results at MC12. 
In order to share the burden, participants could be assigned the task/volunteer to co -lead or 
co-assist in terms of preparation and follow -up of each session – for example in teams of two.  
4. The EU is happy to co -lead (one of) these sessions. In addition, for each of the sessions , the 
EU is happy to help prepare in terms of identifying relevant stakeholders, drafting contributions 
(were relevant), and taking an active part in presentations. It would be very useful to also draw on 
the Members' experience  in tackling these topics in  various fora (EGA negotiations, APEC, ACCTS 
negotiations, Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidies reform group, etc.).  
5. While we agree for co -sponsors to have a possibility of closed discussions, it is important to 
involve stakeholders, academia  and international  organisations to provide fact -based data and 
ensure a transparent process promised in the communication. This can be organised in back -to-back 
sessions. As for discussions at government level, we should allow for sessions involving 
supporters  – but not necessarily or yet co -sponsors – to the initiative. Each session should be 
recorded with a summary of the discussions and operational conclusions that would be included in 
a report to the Ministers at MC12.  
6. While we want to be as ambitious as we can, we sh ould also be realistic on what can actually 
be achieved at MC12 , and therefore define a clear roadmap and objectives from the start.  
__________